Clinic Volunteers Successfully Appeal Denial of Unemployment Benefits
Renata came to CVLS through the Amicus Poloniae Legal Clinic. There, she met with attorney Robert Groszek about an unemployment case. Renata had been released by her employer and denied unemployment benefits. Without any income, she needed legal assistance in learning about her options and possibly appealing the denial of her benefits.
Robert and fellow volunteer, Crystal Lameka, first started with an intake interview; they asked Renata what happened. She told them that, after a verbal disagreement, her boss took her badge and told her to leave. Renata’s application for benefits was denied, the Department of Employment Security reasoning that Renata wasn’t actually fired – she was just asked to leave for the day. This was Renata’s first problem with an employer and her first time applying for unemployment
Crystal and Robert agreed to represent Renata and put together an appeal on her behalf. They argued that it was clear that Renata was let go because her boss took her badge, and without the badge, she no longer had access to the building. The Board of Review agreed that this constituted a final termination of her employment and that Renata had not done anything to warrant misconduct. They reversed the initial decision, awarding Renata benefits back to the date of her initial filing.
